Serological Survey of Pseudorabies Virus in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cherrington C. 2019. Serological Survey of Pseudorabies Virus in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ohio State University. Columbus, Ohio
ABSTRACT: As population numbers of invasive species such as feral swine (Sus scrofa) increase and expand their range, the likelihood of disease transmission to livestock and native wildlife also increases. Pseudorabies (PRV) is just one of the diseases carried by feral swine that poses a potential, yet significant, economic and ecological risk to domestic herds and wildlife. Evidence of increased infection rates of PRV in wild suids suggests the possibility of pathogen spillover to other species. Unfortunately, current understanding of the prevalence of PRV infection in wild animals is limited. Since 2005, wild swine have tested seropositive in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). In order to determine PRV spillover to American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations within GSMNP, sera were obtained from 50 free-ranging black bears (22 females, 28 males). While preliminary screening of the sera for PRV antibodies suggested an antibody presence in 20 (40%) of the samples tested, further testing indicated that the screening yielded false positives and that no serologic evidence of PRV exposure was present. Nevertheless, due to increasing overlap of black bears and wild swine habitat use, continued surveillance in both species is recommended especially in cases of unexplained black bear deaths.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Cherrington, Clinton
- Date of Issue
- 2019
- Publisher
- Ohio State University
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- American black bear, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-02058, pathology, pseudorabies, SER, serum, Southeast Region, Ursus americanus, wildlife management